Saturday, July 02, 2022

Benfleet FC

Benfleet 3 Sawbridgeworth Town 0 - Friendly




The name of Benfleet originates from the time of the Saxon settlers in the 5th century, when the area was largely marshland. They named the area Beamfleote, meaning tree stream, being the area where the creeks from the Thames adjoined the wooded area to the north. The battle of Benfleet took place between the Vikings and Saxons in 894. This was towards the end of the Saxon period and the Thames made the area vulnerable to Viking attacks. The Vikings were defeated in the battle by the army of King Alfred under the command of his son Edward the Elder.



The football club was established in 1922, initially as Benfleet United and subsequently Benfleet Rangers. During their time playing in the Southend & District League, the club won the Essex Junior Cup in 1967-68. After winning the league in 1971-72, the club joined the Essex Olympian League and dropped the Rangers part of the name. In 1988-89 Benfleet won the league and the Essex Intermediate Cup. At the end of the 2017-18 season, Benfleet successfully applied for promotion to the new Division One South of the Eastern Counties League, a massive jump of three levels.



To facilitate this, Benfleet are playing their first team matches at Park Lane, Canvey Island FC. The remainder of the club’s teams remain at Woodside Park in Benfleet where they play their matches. Therefore, this was an opportunity to visit this ground to see a first team match at a venue they will not use during the regular season. A similar situation to that at Virginia Water FC in recent years.



I was fortunate to be offered a lift to and from Upminster Station for this jaunt. The alternative is by train to Benfleet (C2C) and the best part of a three mile walk through town. The football club is situated in a scenic area on the edge of town. On a warm Saturday in summer, it was reassuringly English to see a cricket match being played nearby. We were able to park near the clubhouse building and take a few photographs with over an hour to go before the 3pm kick off.



On adjourning to the clubhouse building, it was good to enjoy a couple of pints of chilled cider. The canteen area had been busy earlier, catering for the various youth sides and so refreshments were not available. However, the extremely friendly folk at the club went out of their way to provide both myself and hungry groundhopper Phil Bayley with enormous cheeseburgers. These were delicious and were generously given free of charge. We thoroughly recommend ‘Cindy’s burgers’ and the associated hospitality.



For the club to host senior football at this site, it will require council approval. The use of Canvey Island FC is ongoing and the process for upgrading this venue is likely to take some time for it to come to fruition. However, the club is clearly ambitious and rightly proud as they look to celebrate their centenary this year.



For a friendly, this was quite an entertaining match to watch. Although it was step 6 v step 5, last season’s form when Benfleet reached the play-offs and Sawbridgeworth Town avoided relegation proved to be good marker. The three-goal margin of victory was about right. A highlight was when local spectator Richard Smith, superbly controlled a stray ball with one touch. Sadly, his boss Kerry Fairless was elsewhere. This was certainly good match practice for both sides as they prepare for the new season. My journey home via Upminster, Barking, Blackhorse Road and Seven Sisters was only tainted by London Overground providing a four car train on a day when drivers on the other line were on strike and there were various other events taking place, not least a concert at Tottenham Hotspur Stadium.


Attendance: ?
Admission: Free
Programme: Not issued
 











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